Summer Bucket List

Slate Run is a huge terrain, but the best section by far is the wetland region on the park’s western fringe. Those seeking a change from your average nature trail would do well to traverse these hills.

Pro-tip: According to Urbanspoon, nearby Village Wines & Bistro in Canal Winchester is good for post-hike nourishment.

Do the new bar shuffle

At Seventh Son Brewing Co., House Beer, The Crest, etc.

So many exciting new bars have opened in Columbus in the past year, and while I’m always intrigued when Jesse Tigges writes about them, I end up spending most of my bar time at music-centric venues. I’m considering spending a Saturday sloshing my way through the buzziest watering holes.

Pro-tip: Consider traveling by bicycle to work off all those microbrew calories; if so, drink water after every beer to avoid drunk biking (they’ll take your driver’s license for an OVI on a bike).

Bike from German Village to Worthington (and back?)

At the Olentangy Trail

Any two-wheeled commuter has probably hopped on stretches of the Olentangy Trail, but how many have spent an afternoon tracking the entire route from Whittier Peninsula up to just north of 270?

Pro-tip: For a more casual ride, stop for drinks at one end of the trail and ride COTA back home.

Be entertained outdoors

At Columbus Commons

Lots of fun stuff is happening in Downtown’s newest, greatest park this summer: movies, plays, food trucks and (ahem) this Friday’s free Alive Summer Music Tour kickoff concert. One of last summer’s best memories was stretching out on a blanket with a beer for “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” I intend to replicate that.

Pro-tip: Sit up front so nobody stands in front of you.

Let Swans beat your soul senseless July 24

At The Bluestone

This is probably the least summery activity imaginable, but last time Michael Gira’s brutalist post-punk behemoth played Columbus, I left Outland exhilarated, if slightly traumatized — and they hadn’t even released last year’s universally acclaimed The Seer at that point, and it’s hard to imagine a better venue for Swans than a converted church.